Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Utilized as an effective method, hair testing offers a significant advantage in identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair maintains a prolonged record of substance usage by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When clipped near the scalp, hair can reveal drug or alcohol use for approximately three months. The collection process for hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy for shipping.
The optimal sample for screening and analysis is a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil). This yields about 100mg of hair, which is ideal for standard testing. For EtG, additional substances, or testing beyond 10 panels, a collection of 150mg is recommended. Measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale is advised. If head hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test outcomes follows four critical steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary phase where a sample is entered into a laboratory’s system. This phase includes confirming that the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening entails a preliminary analysis for substance abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use in most samples, confirmation is required for any positive screen to be valid in legal contexts. Thus, samples indicated as presumptively positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.
For samples that display a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the collected sample and prepped for the Extraction process. During this phase, substances are extracted from hair in concentrations considerably lower compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is notably challenging to execute.
Any positively screened samples are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory procedure, from Accessioning through Confirmation, adheres to reviews in line with both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although known as "hair follicle tests", this test examines the hair strand itself, rather than the follicle under the skin.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Carls Corner, TX
Comparing detection prowess, hair tests securely uncover longer substance histories.
Extended Detection Window in Carls Corner, TX
The extended period lets businesses understand an individual’s history better.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Carls Corner, TX
This robust testing method stands strong against attempts to compromise results.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Carls Corner, TX
Availability across locales keeps testing straightforward and stress-free.
Simple, Confidential Process in Carls Corner, TX
The straightforward methodology puts the client's ease and confidentiality first.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Carls Corner, TX
Economical and prompt services ensure peace of mind for every enterprise.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Carls Corner, TX
With efficiency at the forefront, hair tests in Carls Corner ensure results are consistent and dependable.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Carls Corner, TX
Such compliance offers employers confidence and serenity.
